Phil Baxter

Phil Baxter (né Philip Kerley Baxter; 5 September 1896 Rural Shade, Texas – 21 November 1972 Dallas) was an American songwriter, singer and band leader.

Early years Baxter was born September 5, 1896, in Rural Shade, Texas — which after World War II became part of Kerens. He was raised in Marshall, Texas.

At age 14, Baxter played piano at a roller skating rink. He knew only one tune, but "the skaters didn't mind, for the noise of their rollers was louder than the piano music."

Military service During World War I, Baxter served at the Mare Island Naval Base in California. Violinist Paul Whiteman was also assigned to that base, and the two often entertained other sailors with musical performances. Phil Baxter and His Texas Tommies performed at the just-opened El Torreon Ballroom in Kansas City, Missouri, becoming, as Phil Baxter and His El Torreon Orchestra, the ballroom's house band from 1927 to 1933.

Personal life Baxter and his wife, Ouida,